Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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I'm still struggling with the fact that my baby has had to go through so much in her short life, we went to the vets with a limp and after X-rays it showed a mass around her left shoulder and after a needle biopsy it is looking like oteosarcoma, after lengthy talks with the vet we finally agreed to have the leg and shoulder amputated. Willow had the operation on Monday and she has amazed us all, although today Thursday she has slept loads and looks so sad 😢 And we are riddled with guilt, I know we have given her the best chance of life but I don't know if I can want to know the results from the bloods and tumour I feel so mixed up emotion wise for putting her through all this at such a young age. Need some feedback from people that have gone through this and if you felt as guilty as we do,! Willow has been amazing a trooper and has amazed us all it's just today she doesn't seem herself (sad and tired , breaking my heart ) [Image Can Not Be Found]
Hi Donna, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
I'm sorry to hear about Willow's amputation. Has the osteosarcoma diagnosis been confirmed yet? It's almost unheard of for a dog as young as Willow, I can't recall one here who was under six months. I hope it's something else and not osteo.
Of course you're riddled with guilt, who wouldn't be? It's so hard making that decision for someone who doesn't know exactly what's about to happen. Anyone who had to make the decision felt the same way. But you know what, you yourself just said what the reality of the situation is:
Willow has been amazing a trooper and has amazed us all
YES! She is! And she will continue to do so. Animals are so much more resilient than we give them credit for. For now, however, she's in recovery mode and getting over major surgery. Any other human would not be nearly as far along as she is. An off day or two or even a week is more than normal and typical of most new Tripawds. However, sometimes pain medication can make them feel extra blah. What medications is she on right now? Too much or too little can make a difference in their behavior. The biggest trick of recovery is balancing her needs for the exact quantity her body needs for a smooth recovery.
The best thing you can do for her right now is focus on her accomplishments so far, and staying as pawsitive as you can. The more normal you behave, the more she will pick up on that and respond to it.
Remember you can always call the Tripawds Helpline too if you want to chat on the phone OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for the kind words, the fine needle biopsy can't rule out osteosarcoma, they wanted a full biosopy to be sent but after talking to the vets we decided on what they thought was best! They did a chest X-ray before and that looks ok and have taken more bloods her limf node ( not sure how you spell that ) and the mass away so just have to wait and see what comes back from that 🙁Shes on meloxaid and gabapentin 30l twice a day , we are back at the vets tomorrow for a check up x
Hi Donna,
I'm so sorry you and your girl are going through this. I UNDERSTAND how you feel - we all do. Although my baby is nearer to the end of his life, far from a pup, I am asking myself the same questions because he is having a really rough time right now, too. He was also great the first few days and now he is in misery and I am in despair. The emotions are the same - hope, guilt, fear, anger, and everything in between.
My first thought is, if I can shove all my emotions aside, which is hard to do, I need to look at this with the perspective that I made the best decision that I could with the information that I had, and that it was all done with the best of intentions and the greatest of love. And the second thing I need to remember is, it ain't over yet. Yes, he's having a bad day like Willow today - BUT we will keep pushing ahead and finding the solutions to make tomorrow a better day. There are others here, too with furry friends going through a rough recovery, and we are all working hard to find the answers, and we can all support each other and help each other through, whatever the outcome. But for now, we are right to assume that the outcome is not going to be bad.
SO hang in there and don't be so hard on yourself and I will do the same. If Willow (and Zato) could tell us, you know they wouldn't want us to feel this way.
I'd love to see a picture of Willow.
Tracy & Zatoichi
Tracy & Warrior Angel Zatoichi 💓
Zato was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in October 2016. He triumphed through radiation and amputation with dignity and grace. After living a life of love and happiness, Zato earned his angel wings on February 19, 2018. Read his story here.
Oh Donna! 🙁 First of all welcome! Sorry for what led you here, but so glad you found this site!!
Yes Willow is very young but you know what, that also means resilience! 
She WILL bounce back from this. Quite literally probably! lol Its hard to slow them down once they are feeling better again. The more posts you read on here you will see you are NOT alone. We've ALL had to share in that guilt of the big decision. But what convinced me is the people with success stories on here. My girl was 9yrs old when diagnosed with osteosarcoma, older but VERY healthy! Never had an issue before the cancer. So after hearing of all these dogs who got a new lease on life when losing that nasty diseased leg, I knew my answer. We went from being scared to death of losing her, to getting an extra 10 months after amputation with her and her quality of life has been amazing!! She went from limping in constant pain, to being able to run around chasing her dog friends again and barrelling down the stairs in the morning! (she's a rear amputee) She's 10 now and having some troubles but I still don't regret it. They all have good days and bad just like us. Willow is still so fresh after surgery, you can't let one bad day get you down. It will be an emotional roller coaster for the first few weeks!
Often they feel SO good after surgery because they're not limping in pain anymore, that they end up overdoing it and then that's when the bad days happen. She is young and energetic at 4 months old so it will take lots of work and patience on your end to try to let her rest and not do too much. The meds will help. But like others have said, its a bit of trial and error to find the right amount and frequency where her pain is managed but she's not a zombie either. I found some light full body massage was a nice way to relax Kylie after surgery and also some bonding/comfort time. She loved it.
Please post here and lean on others for support and ask questions! There are SO many helpful people who understand what you're going through, this site is amazing! Wishing Willow a wonderful recovery. Hang in there, you are doing awesome!!!! Your feelings are normal.
Now where the heck are some pics of this pretty girl???? 
(People will help you with that too!!) Just don't ask me lol
Let us know how the check up goes!
Chris & Kylie xo
It's lovely to read all these inspiring stories thank you for the kind and encouraging words, I guess we are, my husband and I are struggling with this as we lost our gorgeous sprocker at Easter to the same disease he was 9 nearly ten though but he had a tumour on the spleen we had it removed in January and the cancer got him at Easter 😢 Willow seems so young to go through this, but I will try to stay positive and we will do what ever we can to give her the best life we can whatever the outcome ❤️ Love this group already it's very inspiring and is giving us hope for the future with our gorgeous willow
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